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7 Must-Know Facts Mentioned on 22 Apr’s COVID-19 Press Conference

2021-04-23 , 11:52 am

Just like when PM Lee puts on a pink shirt and addresses the nation, every time Education Minister Lawrence Wong and Health Minister Gan Kim Yong get together and hold a press conference, residents start sweating profusely.

Will the circuit breaker return? Are vaccines useless? Will they take my bubble tea away again?

Yesterday (22 Apr) the COVID-19 multi-ministry task held a press conference to discuss the global and domestic coronavirus situation, and the next steps Singapore will be taking to tackle the pandemic.

If you didn’t want to spend over an hour watching our ministers tell us how dire the COVID-19 situation is, allow Goody Feed to summarise all the key takeaways for you.

Here are 7 key things mentioned in yesterday’s press conference.

Singapore to Stop Entry For All LTVP & STVP Holders With Recent Travel History to India

As you know, the authorities tightened entry rules for travellers from India a few days ago, cutting entry approvals for non-Singaporeans and PRs.

“But since then, the situation in India has continued to worsen,” Mr Wong said.

Yesterday, India recorded the world’s highest daily tally of 314,835 COVID-19 infections, as the country struggles to contain its second wave of the virus.

A new “double mutant” COVID-19 strain that is spreading in India is also causing concern, as it’s said to be more infectious and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.

As a result, the government said it will be denying entry to all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to India within the last 14 days from 24 Apr.

This includes visitors who transit in India, and those who have obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore.

In addition, all travellers with recent travel history to India who not yet to completed their 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) will need to serve their additional seven-day SHN at dedicated facilities instead of their place of residence.

This means incoming travellers from India will now have to pay $3,000 for their SHN.

All Arriving Migrant Workers From High Risk Countries to Undergo SHN at Dedicated Facility

Due to the emergence of new variants of concern around the world, all newly arrived migrant workers from higher-risk countries and regions will now be subjected to additional border measures.

These workers, even those with a positive serology result, will now have to undergo a stay-home notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility before being onboarded at the Migrant Workers Onboarding Centre (MWOC) for an additional testing regime.

Imported cases who are suspected of reinfection will be isolated and undergo repeat COVID-19 tests, to ensure that such cases are detected promptly.

Housing Projects Could Be Delayed Due to New Border Measures

Thanks to the new border measures, you may have to wait a little longer for your build-to-order (BTO) flat.

The ban on travellers with recent travel history to India will have a significant impact on the Construction, Marine, and Process (CMP) sectors here, Mr Wong said.

Building and housing projects, which have already been hindered by the pandemic, may face further delays.

Earlier this month, it was reported that 85% of the 89 ongoing BTO projects are facing delays of six to nine months due to the pandemic, with 43,000 households affected.

Dorm Residents Who Cross 270 Days Since Infection Will No Longer be Exempted From Public Health Measures

In the last couple of weeks, a few cases of reinfection in dormitories have been observed, prompting additional measures for recovered individuals.

Having monitored recovered individuals in Singapore for a year after they were infected, the authorities have found evidence that suggests a possible gradual decrease in antibody levels.

This means that immunity to COVID-19 can wane over time, and make the person susceptible to the virus once more.

So, from 29 Apr, recovered dormitory-dwelling workers and workers in the CMP sector who are living here and have crossed 270 days from the date of COVID-19 infection will no longer be exempted from prevailing public health measures.

The concern is that recovered workers who were infected earlier may contract the coronavirus again, and unknowingly spread it to other dormitory residents.

COVID-19 Protection May Last Up to 18 Months

In an ideal world, sleeping would burn as many calories as a marathon and immunity from vaccines would last forever.

But, of course, we live in a world where parties are illegal instead.

It now turns out that vaccine immunity from COVID-19 may only last up to 18 months, according to the health ministry’s director of medical services, Associate Professor Kenneth Mak.

Recovered COVID-19 patients have shown a strong immune response for more than 300 days, but antibody levels in some of the infected individuals have decreased over time.

Those who are vaccinated may be protected for between 15 and 18 months, but beyond that, things are still uncertain.

Which brings us to this:

We May Have to Go Through “Further Rounds” of Vaccination as Booster Shots

Since immunity from the vaccine won’t last forever, we may need to undergo “further rounds of vaccination even beyond this year, ” Mr Wong said.

This means that those who have already received their two doses of the coronavirus may have to get booster shots in the future.

“We will have to be confronting not just the virus today but potentially new strains of the virus that may be more infectious and virulent,” he added.

To know more about COVID-19 vaccines, watch this video to the end:

First Case of South African Strain Detected Here

Two days ago, the World Health Organistion said it learnt from unofficial sources that the South African COVID-19 strain has been detected in Singapore, but had not yet verified the findings.

Well, now we’ve received confirmation from the horse’s mouth.

As of 20 Apr, the authorities have detected one case of the B.1.351 strain of COVID-19 – also known as the South African variant.

The case worked in the marine industry, and was potentially exposed to infectious sources from ships visiting Singapore.

Featured Image: Youtube (CNA)